3.4 MWR During Mar. 1988–Mar. 2018: From Construction …
73
• Being responsible for investigating key water-related violation cases. Mediating and arbitrating water disputes among sectors and provinces; guiding the
enforcement and execution of water legislation. Ensuring production safety in
the water sector in accordance with relevant laws; organizing and guiding the
safety of reservoirs and dams; and organizing the supervision of water projects
construction.
• Conducting water science and technology and foreign affairs activities. Organizing the conduct of quality supervision in the water sector; drafting, promulgating, and supervising the implementation of the technical standards, specifications, and codes of the water sector; and undertaking water-related statistical
activities and handling foreign affairs concerning transboundary rivers.
There was no organizational adjustment related to water resources management
in 2008. However, function changes and clarifications could be investigated. The
MWR reduced the administrative approvals defined by the State Council, and it
was no longer in charge of drafting economic regulation policy and guiding multioperation for the water sector. However, it was required to strengthen water resources
saving, protection, and rational allocation, to guarantee urban and rural water supply,
and to promote sustainable water resources development. Additionally, the MWR
was directed to pay closer attention to flood control and drought resistance and to
reduce water-related disaster loss.
In terms of functions among agencies, the MWR’s responsibilities were clarified
as follows (Office of the State Council 2008):
• Water resources protection and water pollution control. The MWR was responsible for water resources protection, while the MEP was in charge of water environmental quality and water pollution control. Both departments were required
to further strengthen coordination and cooperation, develop an inter-ministerial
consultation mechanism, regularly report water resources protection and water
pollution control works, and coordinate to solve related key problems. The
MEP issued water environmental quality information and was responsible for
the accuracy and timing of such information. The MWR issued related water
environmental quality information, including hydrological and water resources
information, and it was required to coordinate with the MEP to maintain
consistency.
• River channel sanding management. The management institution for river sanding
downstream of Yibin in the mainstream of the Yangtze River was implemented
according to the Regulation on River Channel Sanding Management in the
Yangtze River. The responsibilities for other rivers were divided as follows:
the MWR managed the impacts of river channel sanding on flood control, river
channel stability, and dyke safety; the MLR was in charge of guaranteeing the
rational development and use of sanding resources in river channels; and the
Ministry of Transportation was responsible for the impacts of river channel
sanding on navigation safety. The management, supervision, and planning of
river channel sanding was required to be led by the MWR with assistance from
the MLR and the Ministry of Transportation.
73
• Being responsible for investigating key water-related violation cases. Mediating and arbitrating water disputes among sectors and provinces; guiding the
enforcement and execution of water legislation. Ensuring production safety in
the water sector in accordance with relevant laws; organizing and guiding the
safety of reservoirs and dams; and organizing the supervision of water projects
construction.
• Conducting water science and technology and foreign affairs activities. Organizing the conduct of quality supervision in the water sector; drafting, promulgating, and supervising the implementation of the technical standards, specifications, and codes of the water sector; and undertaking water-related statistical
activities and handling foreign affairs concerning transboundary rivers.
There was no organizational adjustment related to water resources management
in 2008. However, function changes and clarifications could be investigated. The
MWR reduced the administrative approvals defined by the State Council, and it
was no longer in charge of drafting economic regulation policy and guiding multioperation for the water sector. However, it was required to strengthen water resources
saving, protection, and rational allocation, to guarantee urban and rural water supply,
and to promote sustainable water resources development. Additionally, the MWR
was directed to pay closer attention to flood control and drought resistance and to
reduce water-related disaster loss.
In terms of functions among agencies, the MWR’s responsibilities were clarified
as follows (Office of the State Council 2008):
• Water resources protection and water pollution control. The MWR was responsible for water resources protection, while the MEP was in charge of water environmental quality and water pollution control. Both departments were required
to further strengthen coordination and cooperation, develop an inter-ministerial
consultation mechanism, regularly report water resources protection and water
pollution control works, and coordinate to solve related key problems. The
MEP issued water environmental quality information and was responsible for
the accuracy and timing of such information. The MWR issued related water
environmental quality information, including hydrological and water resources
information, and it was required to coordinate with the MEP to maintain
consistency.
• River channel sanding management. The management institution for river sanding
downstream of Yibin in the mainstream of the Yangtze River was implemented
according to the Regulation on River Channel Sanding Management in the
Yangtze River. The responsibilities for other rivers were divided as follows:
the MWR managed the impacts of river channel sanding on flood control, river
channel stability, and dyke safety; the MLR was in charge of guaranteeing the
rational development and use of sanding resources in river channels; and the
Ministry of Transportation was responsible for the impacts of river channel
sanding on navigation safety. The management, supervision, and planning of
river channel sanding was required to be led by the MWR with assistance from
the MLR and the Ministry of Transportation.